Youri Tielemans sweating on Aston Villa future after Enzo Barrenechea transfer news
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus and he could prove to be a defensive midfield alternative to Youri Tielemans.
The Villans announced via their official website on 1 July the double signing of the Argentine and Samuel Iling-Junior from the Old Lady.
They both move to Villa Park as unknown quantities with plenty of potential to improve under the tutelage of Unai Emery.
Barrenechea is a defensive-minded midfield option and could potentially displace Tielemans at the base of the Villa midfield next season.
Enzo Barrenechea could displace Youri Tielemans at Aston Villa
The question that most Villa fans will be asking is "Who is Barrenechea?". After just five Juventus appearances, that isn't a surprise.
The Villans are getting a typical Argentine defensive midfielder with grit and determination that make up his game.
At 23-years-old he has plenty of room to grow in the Premier League but may take some time to acclimatise to a new division.
Barrenechea is adept in the air while also liking getting stuck into the opposition with slide tackles. The Argentine is also positive with the ball at his feet in terms of passing.
These abilities may see him eventually take Tielemans' place at the base of the Villans' midfield as the season goes on.
In the Belgian's final game of the 2023-24 season, he kept an 87 per cent pass accuracy, which is positive, but only managed to win 50 per cent of ground duels.
By comparison, in his last appearance on loan at Frosinone, Barrenechea won five duels, one tackle and made six interceptions [FotMob] - a very good return.
The Argentine is better defensively than his new Villa teammate, as highlighted by his 1.95 clearances and 1.63 aerial duels won per 90 [Fbref] last season.
Compare this to Tielemans, who has only registered 0.50 clearances and 0.72 aerial duels won [Fbref], meaning there is a clear difference between the two.
Despite not being a direct like-for-like replacement for the Belgium international, the 23-year-old could prove to be a useful addition to Emery's squad next season.
In other Aston Villa news, frustration has emerged at Villa Park following Omari Kellyman’s summer transfer to Chelsea
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